If you started reviewing & applying to job ads listed on job sites, you’ll more than likely be contacted by a recruitment agency to discuss the roles they have available. To ensure you’re dealing with the right agency & consultant, I suggest you take the following steps to ensure you’re not wasting your time speaking to the wrong people.

Review the agency’s website: Check to see if they appear to be a professional company & get an understanding of the industry/sectors that they specialise in.

Does the consultant your dealing with act in a professional manner, do they contact you when they say they will, did they show a genuine interest in your experience, did they outline how they plan to help you get a job?

Review their job listings: Check that your skills and experience match those being advertised by the agency and that the jobs that the agency are advertising are jobs that are of interest to you.

Check the company’s LinkedIn Page & the LinkedIn page of any consultant you’ve had discussions with. Do they represent themselves in a professional manner, do they have recommendations / endorsements from clients and candidates? Are they well connected, does it look likely that they’ll be able to place you in a job?

Finally complete a Google Search of the recruitment company name and see if you can see any negative press or comments from people who’ve worked for the company.

If you have any other tips or suggestions please feel free to leave in the comments below.